In Great Baddow, there is plenty of visible evidence all around us of a village that has been here for many centuries.
There are over 30 listed buildings in the village, the centre of which is now dominated by the Vineyards shoppping precinct.
This precinct and the multi-storey apartments which over-shadow it were part of a major re-development in the 1960's,
which also saw the construction of a multi-storey block of offices (Marrable House) which was demolished in 2016 and
replaced by Weston Homes' Herongate development. (A brief history of Marrable House and the Vineyards is available
elsewhere on this site,
together with photographs of the demolition.)

There is information in St Mary's Church relating to the rebel leader Jack Straw leading an ill-fated crowd (the "men of Essex") from the churchyard to London, in one of the risings in the 1381 Peasants' Revolt. More recently (2003) the Great Baddow Oral History was published by Allen Buckroyd. Allen has kindly allowed us to include some details from that publication on the site.
Allen has also assisted Christine Goldstone in publishing A Study of Great Baddow , which started life as Christine's teacher training college project. It has
recently been reprinted due to popular demand. It is available to purchase from Christine at a reduced cost of £5 (was £10). If you are interested in buying a
copy, please email Christine via christine.goldstone@blueyonder.co.uk or fill in the short form which follows:-

Your Name :
Your Address :
Your Phone number :
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On the outskirts of the village, the major landmark - visible from miles around - is a former Chain Home radar transmitter tower, originally sited at Canewdon.

Photos of many of these local features can be found in our gallery. If you have any photos, old or new, that you would like us to include, please get in touch. If you have fond memories of village life or special places in it for you, please tell us and we will add your memories and take a photo to accompany it.

This history section of the website is part of an ongoing project and, as such, will be updated regularly as research is completed. If you have any contributions, please contact the Information Manager.

Our most recent contribution comes from William Pease in Pennsylvania, USA, telling us about the Pease Family. If you know any more details about the early Pease brothers or are related, please get in touch.

Requests for Information

Julie writes "I have come across the Carpenters Arms in
relation to my 3 times great aunt Ann Elizabeth Porter (1813-1891) who married William Beckett (1811-1896) in 1840.
Their marriage entry in Great Baddow's parish register has William as a carpenter. The same occupation is given in 1841.
By 1851 they are living at the Carpenters Arms, Great Baddow and continue to run (or own?) the pub/inn until 1895.
I have found obituaries in Essex Newsman for both Ann and William. They did not have any children,
but wondered if the Beckett or Porter name was tied to anywhere else in the village?

My main question is - Did William Beckett build the Carpenters Arms? Is there any date built on the building which I believe
still exists though as an Indian restaurant?"

Previous unanswered requests include

with regard to James Bywater,
who worked at Baddow Park Farm between 1943 and 1945 when he was in his late 30's.

one from David who "lived in Great Baddow for a while but moved to Canada 22 years ago.
Just down the road from the Blue Lion as you head back into Chelmsford there is a small row of cottages,
22-24 years ago an artist lived in one of them I think they were from the US, a real long shot any idea if they are still around?".